Grand Rapids PD

[Keith Benando]

I was just on the webite for the Grand Rapids police deaprtment and saw that they are having a on going recruitment. Does anyone know how many they want to hire?

[CustomsCop]

I belive they have alot of openings since alot of officers have been leaving for Kent Co sheriff's office. I also belive you need to have your MCOLES certification to be hired.

[k9cop21811]

I don't know anything about GRPD, but they have more or less been continually hiring/accepting applications since at least 1996. I know that because I considered applying before I got out of the military and it seems that I'm always hearing they're hiring. You don't have to have your state certification either. You just have to pass the state physical agility and written tests and the city's written test. And of course once you're hired you have to make it through the academy at which time you'll receive your PO certification. Not having to be certified was a big selling point for me back in 1996 and I would imagine is one for many candidates today also. Most department in Michigan do require you to already have your certification, which really narrows the field. If you apply, good luck.

[lightemup]

It is true that you need your MCOLES certification to work at GRPD.

[k9cop21811]

According to the GRPD recruitment ad on the lawenforcementjob.com site you don't need it. Check it out:

REQUIREMENTS FOR the GRPD
Candidates must meet the following criteria in order to apply: be a citizen of the United States, be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or GED, no felony convictions as an adult or juvenile, possess a valid Michigan Drivers License at the time of hire and have correctable 20/20 vision and the absence of color blindness. Candidates are put through a selection process that begins when an a employment application is submitted. Candidates must pass both the state required physical and reading/writing test as well as the Grand Rapids Police Department's written entrance examination. Those that pass the written entrance exam receive a command staff interview. Those that pass the command staff interview have their background investigated by an investigator. Candidates who successfully proceed through these steps receive conditional offers of employment. Those who receive conditional offers must successfully pass a department physical and psychological examination. All candidates appointed to the position of police recruit must complete the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) basic training (police academy). All candidates appointed to the position of police officer/police recruit will participate in a six week "in house" orientation program, a twelve week field training program and a one year probationary period.

[montyv8]

yes you do need your MCOLES to apply. i am currently attempting

to gain employment in this department but i have to take the civil

service test again in a month or so. if any one has any tips for me

by all means send the scoop my way!

[noordo]

GRPD is currently in a freeze. I have been here since 2/96 and since then we have hired one Kent County Dep and one GRPD cop left for Kent County when she realized she didnt like working in the hood.

Rumors are that we will start up hiring again next year.

[sgt. w-2]

Most agencies in Michigan with the exception of the Detroit area will require certification, however that may change. I just spoke with the Chief of a neighboring Michigan agency last week, and for the first time in Dept history, they are accepting applications from non-certified applicants.

The only catch is that you have to have already passed the physical agility and reading/writing test. They will hire certified officers first and then second they will select from non-certified. I never thought I would see the day, but if it happens in his agency it will happen in just about any. He has a 20 man dept.